Russia has started restricting voice calls on Telegram and WhatsApp, saying the services have not complied with local demands for cooperation in fraud and terrorism investigations.
The limits, introduced on August 11, leave Telegram calls barely functional and WhatsApp calls distorted or silent, while messaging features still work.
Authorities say the restrictions could be removed if the companies agree to Russian laws, which require setting up local offices, working with regulators, and giving law enforcement access to user data.
The dispute is part of a wider clash between Russia and foreign tech firms over content rules and data access, a conflict that has deepened since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
President Vladimir Putin supports a state-run messaging platform linked to government services, aiming to reduce reliance on foreign applications.
Meta, which owns WhatsApp, was declared an extremist organisation in 2022, but the app remains available in Russia. Some lawmakers now want it removed completely.
Critics warn that the planned state messaging app could be used for surveillance and that slowing down WhatsApp may be an attempt to push people toward the government-backed service.
Rights groups say these actions are part of tighter internet controls, with increased censorship and blocks on tools that help users bypass restrictions.